Australian Cattle Dog Living in the Sunshine State & Exploring Beyond

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Month: July 2015

Sometimes dogs get dirty when they play outside. This isn’t a “sometimes” occurrence for Opal however; every time we go out and adventure, she comes home covered in an impressive coating of dirt, clay, and earth.

Although she may protest (because what dog likes hearing the word “bath”?) Opal always gets a good scrub down before snuggling up on the sofa to relax. We’ve gone through our fair share of dog washes and shampoos, so we thought it was high time to share some of our favorite products to de-funk your dog and achieve “maximum huggability”. Today we’ll be taking a look at Cloud Star Buddy Wash in Lavender & Mint.

At $8.44 per 16oz bottle, Buddy Wash is a comfortable purchase for people on a budget. Even nicer, it is a 2-in-1 Shampoo+Conditioner product, so you don’t need to buy an additional wash. I really appreciate the fact that it’s a 2-in-1 wash because it cuts down on the number of products I need to use. It’s good to know that when I grab the bottle, it’s the only one I’ll need!

Cloud Star claims that the Buddy Wash helps you achieve “Maximum Huggability”, and I would have to agree. I have used many other shampoo and wash products before, but none have really had the same affect that the Buddy Wash has. Opal, as an Australian Cattle Dog, has a weather-resistant outer coat that is short and straight that can sometimes be coarse to the touch. After a bath using this wash though, she becomes incredibly soft! It’s great that she can be a rough and tumble dog outside when we go on hikes, but still be oh-so snuggly soft like an inside dog once we get home.

The wash is coconut-based, and does a great job getting rid of the dirt, clay, and other grime out of your dog’s fur. It makes a full lather that lifts sand off the skin easily, while cleaning the fur of your dog’s coat as well. I like that wash is gentle enough that it doesn’t dry out my hands. The wash is actually safe for humans to use too – so in a pinch it would leave you with a great smelling ‘do.

Speaking of great smelling, Opal and I decided to use the Lavender & Mint scent, but there are also a Relaxing Green Tea & Bergamot and Refreshing Rosemary & Mint shampoos. Lavender has always been a favorite scent of mine; it is floral and sweet without being overly saccharine or too “girly”. The addition of mint really helps to create a calming scent as well, which is perfect for when we’re winding down for the day. After her bath, Opal will smell like Lavender & Mint for a solid 2-3 days (unless we go on a hike!). I wish the scent was longer lasting like some other products we have used, but that is a minor complaint.

I would like to not however that while the wash is generally gentle, the shampoo aspect of it can dry out your dog’s skin if it is sensitive. No 2-in-1 product is perfect, and I try to be mindful of how much soap I am actually using while washing Opal to avoid drying her out. This is a very minor thing as it has only happened once, but it was worth mentioning.

The Pros:

Made in USA

Budget friendly

Gentle on human hands

Calming Lavender & Mint scent

Helps make the dog’s coat super soft!

The Cons:

The scent fades fairly quickly over 2-3 days

The shampoo can be somewhat drying

Opal’s Verdict:

I can’t say that using Buddy Wash will make your dog love bath time, but I can say that your dog will love feeling fresh and clean afterwards. I enjoy the scent and wish that it lasted longer in-between bathing, and it does a very good job of lifting dirt up and off of Opal’s coat when she is especially dirty. The Cloud Star Buddy Wash had definitely earned its space in our shower!

Our friends at Ruffwear were kind enough to send Opal and I another product to test out on our most recent venture out in Arizona. We had several day-hikes planned in addition to a short multi-day trip beneath the rim of the Grand Canyon, so we needed something light weight but durable that Opal would be comfortable wearing in the heat of the desert. Ruffwear listened to our needs and sent us their sleekest hydration pack – The Singletrak Pack.

The Singletrak is a low-profile and streamlined pack for day hikes, runs, and maybe overnight trips. It was definitely made with shorter adventures in mind, as is has a 3.2L carrying capacity. 1.2L of that capacity is dedicated to water, leaving the remaining 2L for other things like a leash or poop bags. The Singletrak also has a handle on the back for helping your dog get up and over any obstacles they may encounter, of which I am a huge fan.

My initial impression of the pack when unwrapping it was that the pack was sturdily built with durable fabric, and had a similar fit to the Palisades Pack (review can be found here) also by Ruffwear. There are two straps that clip around the dog’s waist, and a padded chest strap that prevents the pack from sliding backwards while providing comfort. There is a no-nonsense feel to the pack as it only holds the necessities, but it still looks stylish.

Opal is just about 30lbs, and very trim in the waist. So using Ruffwear’s sizing guidelines, I figured that a size Small would be our best bet. I found the product to be very true to size, so if you’re considering purchasing the Singletrak, make sure you measure your dog first! Getting the fit just right can be a little difficult in the beginning, but with five points of adjustment, you can really get the perfect fit for your individual dog. It took me several minutes and a few adjustments on the go while we were hiking for me to get it just the way I wanted, but once it is adjusted it is great! I never had to re-adjust or “fix” the fit after that, which made putting the pack on and heading out much easier.

The pack fit snuggly on Opal, but I could easily slip my fingers beneath the fabric. It’s sleek design and close fit seem comfortable, and also allow her to remain agile while moving around. Unlike larger packs which have larger saddle bags that can restrict movement, the Singletrak’s minimalist design allows a dog to move as naturally as possible. The pack also does not lean to one side regardless of how weight is distributed between the pockets, which I really appreciate. Opal and I have struggled in the past with the weight balancing issue, so not having to worry about it is one less thing stopping us from having fun on the trail.

One aspect of the Singletrak that I really enjoyed was the attention to the comfort and ventilation of the dog wearing it. There is a large open section beneath the handle on the back that allows air to cool the dog down. The fabric making up the pack, while durable, is also relatively breathable, and I noticed when I touched it that it was not absorbing too much heat from the desert sun.

Opal and I not only used the Singletrak to carry water and a few snacks, but also as a tether between us on the trail. Using the D-Ring on the back of the pack, I clipped on her leash and was able to keep my hands free to hold my trekking poles while she led the way. I liked this set up more than putting the leash on her collar, because it put less pressure on her neck as we turned. There were more than just a few switchbacks on Bright Angel Trail, so we were both more comfortable this way, and on a multi-day hike, comfort is key!

Something worth noting is that, depending on where your trip takes you, it is possible that your dog will need more water than the 1.2L that the Singletrak carries. In my situation on the Bright Angel Trail, there were several stops with water spigots where I could replenish her reserve, so this wasn’t too much of a concern, but on more backcountry trips, this could quickly become an issue.

I experimented with the Singletrak by adding the 1L water bladders that come with the Palisades to try and see if I could increase the carrying volume. Unfortunately, the Singletrak just isn’t made to carry more than .6L per pocket; I had to compress the 1L bottles slightly, and as a result they both sprang leaks! Make sure you use the appropriate water bladder with the Singletrak to avoid this situation.

Fortunately, the Singletrak is more accommodating when carrying traditional 16.9 oz bottles of water. Woohoo!

So, the final breakdown goes like this:

The Pros:

Multiple ways to customize fit to various shapes of dogs

Two BPA free .6L water bladders so your pooch can carry his own water

Multiple pockets for organization and weight distribution

Sleek design allows for quick and agile movement

Light coloration prevents the back from absorbing too much heat from the sun

The Cons:

The D-ring on the back of the pack isn’t quite as durable as the D-ring of the Palisades

Limited packing space

Not compatible with the 1L bladders from Ruffwear

Opal’s Verdict:

The Singletrak is excellent at performing on short hikes, runs, and single day trips where you need to bring nothing but the basics. On our hike down into the depths of the Grand Canyon and back up again, Opal seemed very comfortable carrying her water and didn’t seem to realize she was wearing anything at all. I would absolutely recommend this product to other dog owners! This pack has many applications outside of camping and hiking and would be a versatile addition to your dog’s gear.

I just love this photo; it was the first of many on our trip to the Southwest that I am so excited to share with everyone! Our review of the Ruffwear Singletrak Pack comes out tomorrow, so please keep and eye out for it 😉

Off we go! Today we board a plane and fly out to Arizona. Lots of fun adventure await us there under the southwest sun. We should be arriving around 10PM tonight at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and then driving out to the Grand Canyon over night. Phantom Ranch, here we come!

In the meantime, I will be posting photo updates on Opal’s Instagram from my mobile while I’m away from my computer. Hopefully with our new GoPro, we’ll be able to take some fantastic shots of the scenery and activity.